I know of no greater source than the Pioneer Press to convey our gratitude to the Woodbury Police Department for assistance in an unfortunate and ugly incident that happened in our establishment on June 21.

While making rounds on that first day of summer, a Woodbury police officer was drawn to the frantic waving of an employee at Johnson Jewelers in Seasons Market Shopping Center. The police officer ran over to the front of the brick building and peered in the window, making eye contact with a man holding a gun to our son’s head as our son was complying with the robber’s demands. The robber knew he was in trouble then. Our son told the robber there was a back door to the jewelry store, and that was probably what saved our son’s life.

The Woodbury Police Department was soon at the front door of the store after a shot was fired. They entered the store cautiously when there were no noises and it was apparent after searching the store that guns were no longer needed. The robber had taken his own life.

The police were there from the beginning.

A sainted goes to the Woodbury Police Department, which is so helpful to us, helping us work through our invaded minds in answering questions and assuring us that they are there to protect.

A sainted goes to relatives, friends and strangers who offer prayers and hugs in hopes we can see this thing through and come out stronger, and it’s working!

Pat Johnson, St. Paul

Sainted

Sainted: Communities of Roseville.

On June 18, our little yorkie terrier, Gracie Irene, got away from our daughter in Central Park. Family and friends came together to help in finding her. She was sighted in different neighborhoods while she went on her quest to find us. Each time she was sighted, our search groups spent hours on locations trying to see her, find her and bring her home.

We met people from neighborhoods spanning B-2 to the south as far as West Owasso to the north; from Victoria to the east and Hamline to the west — usually a different location each day — while Gracie cruised the area looking for us, and hid when approached. (Gracie is a rescue dog who is very shy).

We are so proud to be a part of a community of strangers who came together, offered to help, assisted with stakeouts and called us regularly with sightings. In addition to our families, friends and good people who simply stepped up to help by offering guidance, cruising areas and doing foot patrols, we are grateful for you.

We were reunited with Gracie on June 23. This involved yet another neighborhood, a group of searchers, a perimeter stake-out and, ultimately, getting our hands on our little dog. She was in good shape and is back at home and sleeping in her dog bed. One of the first things she wanted to do was go for a walk on her leash; go figure.

Thank you, Roseville neighbors, you truly are wonderful and caring and are true “good neighbors.”

Liz Jones, Maplewood

Sainted

On day four of vacation in God’s country, I realized my debit card was gone. After doing some “where did I last use it?” I drove to the A & H Country Store west of Spooner, Wis. (at the intersection of county highways A and H). There it was sitting safe and sound for two days! Thank you, God, for honest people! My purchase at A&H? Salsa and the Saturday edition of the Pioneer Press.

Beth Ellie, Weston, Wis.

Sainted

Sainted: Employees at BME Lab and Science in Little Canada. My niece needed some help with her science project. Tom and Lee went beyond all of my expectations by helping her with some ideas for a project, explained the science involved and showed her the science tools she would need to complete her experiment. Rather than being frustrated and hesitant about having to do her project, my niece left excited and eager to get started. Now, her favorite store is BME Lab and Science, and she’s spending her summer doing more science experiments!

Kyle Mehrkens, St. Paul

Tainted follow-up

I agree with the two previous Tainteds (June 21 and June 28) that Comcast should be ashamed for eliminating Weatherscan 101 from its system. We called them a few weeks ago to see why it wasn’t there anymore, and we were told that very few subscribers used it. I beg to differ. We used it many times daily to check weather conditions and for the radar every time any inclement weather was coming in — and it looks like other people did, too. There was no other place where we could get a warning as quickly as 101. There are certainly stations in their system that are used infrequently, but I do not believe that this was one of them.

Winston Pagel, Woodbury

I have tried to speak to Comcast about taking Weatherscan 101 off the air. They don’t seem to have an answer. It was the BEST place to get the weather immediately! Where else can I voice our displeasure?

Judith Johnson, Woodbury

Sainted

Big sainted to all the employees and customers at Korte’s Supermarket at Randolph and Hamline avenues in St. Paul.

After four and a half years, I recently retired from my part-time job at Korte’s. I made many friends over the years at the store.

Many thanks for letting me share the “Korte’s” experience and being part of your lives.

Korte’s is the friendliest store in town!

Gary Price, St. Paul

Sainted

Sainted to the women and men who stopped to help me June 27 when I fell outside the Hancock Fabrics store in Roseville. I tripped and fell on my face and shoulder. Soon, women surrounded me and were of such help. One insisted on calling 911 and stayed on the phone until the paramedics arrived. Another went into the store to get paper towels to help stop the bleeding and the others just stayed there to offer moral support. I did not get their names, but I truly saint them. I did eventually go to urgent care and nothing is broken, but I have a spectacular black eye!

Jean Hoover, Roseville

Tainted

Tainted to the men’s softball team that on June 25 made the Edgcumbe under-8 baseball team move and delay their practice. While I’m sure in your heyday you could crush a softball a mile, the fact that nothing came within 50 feet of where the kids were practicing is sad. Next time, think about the upcoming youth and not your inflated egos and deflated batting averages.

Jeff Williamson, St. Paul

Sainted

A big sainted to all at the Highland Park Visionworks and Pearle Vision. You worked together to get me in to see the eye doctor on a busy Saturday afternoon. You deserve a gold star!

John Engstrom, St. Paul

Sainted

Follow-up to the Tainted “Counterfeit bill from the man in the gold suit” (June 28): Thank you to Bob, alum from St. Jerome School, who sent us $100 for our youth mission trip after reading our tainted letter about the fake $100 bill we received at our parish garage sale. You are AWESOME! It just proves there are so many more good people than bad. God bless you, Bob. We will remember you in prayer as our kids go out to serve the poor.

Nancy McGraw, Little Canada

The writer is St. Jerome Youth Council and school secretary.

Tainted follow-up

In regard to comments (Tainted, June 28) on parking at the Back to the ’50s car show at the State Fairgrounds on June 21:

The Minnesota Street Rod Association has no control over parking on the grounds. All of the parking is handled by the fairgrounds security. That lot is normally filled by 8 a.m. every day of the show.

We have our act together; this was our 41st year of putting this show on at the fairgrounds, and it has been a very successful event over the years. We have over 11,000 vehicles 1964 and older for the public to look at and enjoy.

I would suggest that you try to get there earlier if you want a parking spot at the front gate.

Just like the old saying, if you snooze, you lose.

William Casey, St. Paul

The writer is a member of the Minnesota Street Rod Association.

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